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I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> ! <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> i <br />i <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />March 6, 2000 <br /> <br />Megan Wald <br />City of Ramsey <br />15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW <br />Ramsey, MN 55303 <br /> <br />Reference: Northfork Oaks 4th Addition Hearing Input <br /> <br />I would like to provide some concerns and suggestions in reference to the <br />Northfork Oaks 4th Addition plat approval. As a resident of Woodlawn Estates, <br />Lot #3, I have a vested interest in what happens in my back yard. ! am also an <br />Director of Education for Tree Trust, a private non profit that provides education <br />about topics that include environmental planning and zoning, tree preservation <br />and environmental issues related to urban forestry. So this letter is not written <br />from the NIMBY (Not In My Back Ya'~-d) perspective it is not the catalyst or <br />primary source of motivation for this letter. I am concerned about the quality of <br />life in the City of Ramsey. The issues that ! would like to bring up are: <br /> <br />1. Tree preserva..tion <br />2. Connectivity of trails and open space <br /> <br />The request for preliminary plat approval states in paragraph #5 "that the grading <br />plan identifies stands of existing trees but it does not identify trees to be <br />preserved and the planting of one tree in each-front yard. The developer has <br />engaged the service of Kunde Company to prepare their Tree Preservation <br />Plan." I have contacted Kunde Company and they have no tree preservation <br />plan agreement, only an agreement to provide a basic lot management plan. <br />This is a nice gesture but hardly a preservation plan. A preservation plan goes <br />beyond identifying existing woodlands and individual trees and is normally <br />supported by a tree preservation ordinance (which the City of Ramsey does not <br />have at this time). If you are seriously considering tree preservation the City of <br />Ramsey must develop a tree preservation ordinance and recognize natural <br />features in the plat approval process. In addition, Northfork Development should <br />contract with Kunde Company to develop a tree preservation plan and fully <br />participate in the development and monitoring process from the beginning. Given <br />that this is a PUD the City of Ramsey has the authority to protect the <br />communities natural resources. Working with Northfork Development to expedite <br />this in an ethical, responsible manner will set precedent for future development. <br /> <br />My recommendations are: 1.) Northfork Development subcontract Kunde & <br />Company to create a tree preservation plan that includes a tree and plant <br /> <br /> <br />